Page 15 of Accidental Orc Daddy

My breath catches, both from the heat of his breath and the nearness of his body. I nod in mock concentration, trying to focus on his instructions rather than the electric charge between us. His large hands gently guide my form, his touch sending a thrill down my spine. His fingers brush against my hips and waist, leaving a trail of heat in their wake.

I can feel the warmth of his body against my back, and his deep breaths against my neck make my heart race. His proximity is intoxicating, and I find myself leaning into him, wanting more.

So much more.

I can feel a fiery need building inside me, and I'm not sure if it's from the excitement of the game or the desire I feel for him.

His lips caress the curve of my ear. “Take it nice and slow," he whispers, his voice low and husky.

The heat of his breath against my skin is almost too much to bear, and my body responds instinctively, pressing against him. Every inch of him is so firm, strong, and fit… and he just seems to align with every inch of me in all the right places.

“And just remember…” he adds. "I can't stop thinking about you.”

His hands squeeze my hips, and for a moment, I imagine him pulling me back into an impassioned thrust.

As Mustaf pulls away, I can feel his gaze lingering on me. There's an unmistakable interest in his eyes, and I find myself considering the possibility of a fling with this captivating orc.

But as much as I'm drawn to him, I can't help but feel a tug-of-war within me. My upbringing and past doubts battle with the magnetic pull I feel toward him. I find myself lost in thought, my mind drifting back to my failed almost-marriage. The pain of that breakup still lingers, and I can't help but feel a sense of fear at the prospect of opening myself up to someone new.

Mustaf is nothing like Duncan, but the fear of heartbreak still lingers in the back of my mind. I find myself wondering if I'm ready to take that leap, to risk getting hurt again so soon.

I take a deep breath, trying to push those thoughts aside. I know I can't let my past experiences dictate my present. But the fear still lingers, and I find myself hesitating.

Finally, I exhale, trying to steady my nerves as I approach the lane. Mustaf's instructions echo in my ears as I take my stance, and I try to focus on the feel of the ball in my hand rather than the butterflies in my stomach.

As I release the ball, it rolls smoothly down the lane, knocking down several pins. Mustaf cheers, his enthusiasm infectious. I can't help but smile, feeling a sense of pride at my accomplishment.

“Good girl,” he cheers deeply, holding my gaze purposefully as we share a playful high-five.

Only, he doesn’t release my hand. He brings it up and kisses it. My attention darts toward the others, but they aren’t paying attention.

The kiss lingers on my hand, sending a jolt of electricity through my body. Mustaf's eyes are locked on mine, and I can sense the desire building between us.

The rest of our friends finally notice my score and congratulate me, pulling me out of my trance-like state. I can feel the heat rising to my cheeks as they all cheer and clap. Mustaf's hand is still holding mine, and I can feel the warmth of his touch.

"Great job!" Sandra exclaims, giving me a high-five.

"He’s right, you are a natural," Maui adds, clapping me on the back.

"You've been holding out on us!" Lalaine teases, her eyes sparkling with amusement.

“I had a good teacher,” I reason bashfully.

My gaze locks with Mustaf’s yet again, but as much as I'm drawn to him, I can't shake the fear that I'll end up regretting this. I need to be cautious when it comes to relationships, and the idea of a no-strings-attached affair is both exciting and terrifying.

As we continue to play, I can feel the tension building between us. Every time Mustaf brushes against me or whispers in my ear, my heart races and my body responds. But I can't ignore the voice in the back of my mind warning me to be careful.

“It’s totally not fair,” Sandra insists, pouting as Mustaf and I take the lead in the game easier than I’d anticipated.

“Don’t be a sore loser,” Mustaf teases, tossing a wink in my direction.

Eventually, the games wind down and the day fades into evening. The laughter and noise can't drown out the silent question hanging between us. I'm on the brink, caught between my desires and a lifetime’s worth of caution.

CHAPTER 8

Meiko

“Wow… is that who I think it is?”

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